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No. Marathon is a paid game, not a free-to-play release. Bungie announced a target price of $39.99, €39.99, or £34.99 in December 2025. Buying the game provides access to its gameplay updates, which Bungie said would be free. Current prices vary by platform, region, and sale.
Do you have to buy Marathon?
Yes. Bungie described Marathon as a paid release. In its December 15, 2025 announcement, it said: “Purchasing Marathon will give you full access to the game, including a roadmap of free gameplay updates as the year progresses.” The announced target prices were $39.99 in the United States, €39.99, and £34.99—not a promise that every store would always charge those amounts. Bungie’s announcement also said survival would not depend on spending. That is Bungie’s stated policy at the time of the announcement, rather than a guarantee about every future monetization decision.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Cronos - PlayStation 5 | $28.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Starfield | Standard Edition | PlayStation 5 | $44.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Atomic Heart (PS5) | $28.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy - PlayStation 5 | $26.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
BIOMORPH Limited Run Edition Playstation 5 PS5 Video Game | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Free gameplay updates are separate from free access to the game: the purchase is required to play, while Bungie said gameplay updates would be included. Optional Deluxe Edition items are another separate category.
How much does Marathon cost right now?
There is no single current price that applies to every platform and region. The US PlayStation Store listed the Standard Edition for $23.99, reduced from $39.99, and the Deluxe Edition for $32.99, reduced from $59.99, when accessed on October 8, 2026. The displayed offer was set to end October 22, 2026 at 06:59 UTC. These are a dated US storefront snapshot, not universal or permanent prices. Check the store for your platform and country before buying: PlayStation’s US Marathon page.
#1 Best Overall
- Cronos: The New Dawn is a brutal third-person survival horror where you fight for the future by salvaging the past. Burn monsters before they merge. Extract souls from the living. Adapt or die.
- Set in a grim world where Eastern European brutalism meets retro-futurist technology, Cronos: The New Dawn lets you experience a gripping story that straddles the line between past and future.
- The enemies you’ll encounter are nightmarish creatures, born from the remnants of humanity – defeating them will require you to make full use of your arsenal.
- The creatures you kill won’t stay dead for long. Fallen enemies can be absorbed by others - through a grotesque process called Merging - to become faster, tougher, and far deadlier.
- This physical edition of Cronos: The New Dawn comes with bonus in-game content and a set of collectible stickers.
What do the Marathon editions include?
Bungie’s editions guide distinguishes the base game and update access from additional digital items and physical collectibles.
| Edition | Game access | Additional items | Physical collectibles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Base game and access to gameplay updates | None listed beyond the game | None listed |
| Deluxe | Base game and access to gameplay updates | Premium Rewards Pass Voucher, 200 SILK tokens, and listed weapon and Runner cosmetics | None listed |
| Collector’s Edition (game-code version) | Includes a game code; check the current listing for platform and edition details | Collector’s contents are physical collectibles | 1/6-scale Thief Runner Shell statue, WEAVEworm collectible, patch, and postcards |
The editions guide does not establish current prices or availability for every platform and region. Deluxe adds pass-related items and cosmetics; the cited guide does not identify those items as gameplay advantages. Check the listing you intend to buy for its current contents and platform.
Rank #2
- JOIN CONSTELLATION — Become part of the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy as you pursue humanity’s greatest mystery.
- CREATE YOUR EXPLORER — Customize your appearance and choose a Background and Traits as you shape your character in this role-playing game.
- EXPLORE THE SETTLED SYSTEMS — Visit more than 1,000 planets, from bustling cities and dangerous bases to wild landscapes, and meet characters, join factions, and take on quests.
- CAPTAIN YOUR SHIP — Personalize your ship, modify its weapons and shields, and assign crew members for unique bonuses. Take part in space dogfights, dock at star stations, and board or commandeer enemy ships.
- CRAFT AND FIGHT — Gather resources to craft supplies, equipment, and weapons, build outposts, and research crafting recipes. Modify weapons to suit your playstyle and use boost packs to maneuver in zero gravity.
Where can you play, and what online access is required?
Bungie’s launch announcement lists Steam on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It states that the game supports full cross-play and cross-save, and that console players need an active online subscription to play. See Bungie’s launch announcement for those platform details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Could Marathon be temporarily free to play?
A sale, trial, or limited-time access event would not by itself make Marathon a permanently free-to-play game. The official sources cited here establish the paid purchase model and free gameplay updates, but do not establish terms for any current or future promotional access. Check Bungie’s and your platform store’s current announcements if you are asking about a specific event.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Mythical Violence: Expect intense, imaginative combat
- Gory Visuals: Some scenes may contain graphic content
- Explicit Language: This game includes strong language
Rank #4
- 2.5D adventure with world-renowned puzzle platformer action
- Bring the kingdom back from the verge of clockwork oblivion in Trine's most magical story, with fiendish villains and memorable allies
- Combine forces in 1-4 players (single player, local and online co-op)
- Beautiful fantasy world with stunning visuals
- New combat system and tense boss encounters
Rank #3
- An utopian world, both mad and sublime
- Visceral, spectacular and unforgiving combat
- Blast giant machines and mutants using your multiple skills and advanced weapons
- Upgrade your arsenal and equipment
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
